Today couples began marrying in Maine after a long campaign to make marriage equality legal there, including a loss at the ballot box in 2009 when voters banned gays and lesbians from marrying.

As part of a wave of successes for LGBT activists in November, Maine became the first state where voters approved a referendum initiated by marriage equality advocates. The measure won 53% to 47%. And the governor certified the results 30 days ago, which set up couples to begin marrying after midnight.

USA Today reports that the first couple to wed — Steven Bridges and Michael Snell, a retail manager and a massage therapist respectively — were serenaded by crowds gathered outside the Portland city hall with the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love."